TailoftheDragon

As a result of the annual MINIs on the Dragon event, over 1,000 pounds of food was donated to Robbinsville's Five Point Center.

As a result of the annual MINIs on the Dragon event, over 1,000 pounds of food was donated to Robbinsville's Five Point Center.

Small cars, big giving

News Staff
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Robbinsville – Each spring, the winding roads of Graham County come alive with the energy and excitement of MINIs on the Dragon, drawing car enthusiasts from across the country and beyond.
Following the closure of I-40 between North Carolina and Tennessee, tractor-trailers have met numerous warning signs – such as this one, at the intersection of N.C. 28 and N.C. 143 in Stecoah – to provide notice that U.S. 129 in Tennessee (the “Tail of the Dragon”) does not allow commercial vehicles over 30 feet. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Following the closure of I-40 between North Carolina and Tennessee, tractor-trailers have met numerous warning signs – such as this one, at the intersection of N.C. 28 and N.C. 143 in Stecoah – to provide notice that U.S. 129 in Tennessee (the “Tail of the Dragon”) does not allow commercial vehicles over 30 feet. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

I-40 closure impacting local traffic

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Tatham Gap – An accident inside the Nantahala Gorge on Saturday led to traffic being re-routed through an unusual route: Tatham Gap Road, a single-lane dirt road that serves as an alternate connection between Robbinsville and Andrews.

Indiana man killed in motorcycle wreck

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Deals Gap – A multi-vehicle accident just inside the North Carolina line Saturday afternoon claimed one life. First responders were unable to revive 51-year-old Darren Ege, after Ege went left of the center line and struck a vehicle head-on. The collision occurred around 4 p.m. on U.S.
Flanked by officers and representatives from both North Carolina and Tennessee, Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran speaks during the “Border to Border” Tail of the Dragon Education Campaign Launch at Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort on June 13. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Flanked by officers and representatives from both North Carolina and Tennessee, Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran speaks during the “Border to Border” Tail of the Dragon Education Campaign Launch at Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort on June 13. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘1 fatality is too many’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 22, 2023
This map provides both an overview of the curves on the Tail of the Dragon – as well as a 26-year summary into the number of fatalities incurred on the road. Map courtesy of tailofthedragon.
Dave Crouch of Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, drove for three days to make it to Fontana Village in his 2011 Miata. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Dave Crouch of Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, drove for three days to make it to Fontana Village in his 2011 Miata. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Alotta Miata!

Randy Foster
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Fontana Dam – Undeterred by waves of heavy rain and a power outage spread over several days, Mazda Miata enthusiasts converged on Graham County for an annual four-day weekend of thrilling drives, camaraderie and opportunities to buy parts for their fiercely-loved, compact sports cars.
These maps illustrate recent data on fatal and serious-injury crashes in Graham County. Maps by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

These maps illustrate recent data on fatal and serious-injury crashes in Graham County. Maps by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Stats show Cherohala Skyway is Graham County’s deadliest road

Randy Foster
Friday, March 18, 2022
The Tail of the Dragon and Hellbender 28 may be famous for their thrills (and spills), but scenic Cherohala Skyway is the most dangerous of the three major touring routes in Graham County. The trends were revealed by data collected by N.C. Department of Transportation from 2016-20.
The Leary’s (couple at right) were frequently asked by travelers who stopped at Deals Gap to pause for a photograph in front of the sign outside their store, Crossroads of Time. Photos courtesy of Cathy Mathews

The Leary’s (couple at right) were frequently asked by travelers who stopped at Deals Gap to pause for a photograph in front of the sign outside their store, Crossroads of Time. Photos courtesy of Cathy Mathews

The Real Dragon (Part 2 of 2)

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Cathy Mathews remembers her father Pete Leary waking up to cook for the anglers staying at the Deals Gap motel around 5 a.m. each day. He also reached out to fishing publications, spreading the word about the nest-egg sitting in the northwestern corner of North Carolina.